550 prices vs values

I agree. There is no shortage of demand for new and ever more expensive Ferraris and other similar cars and this demand is coming from an ever younger clientele.

 

Gen X here and have 2 F-cars with an eye toward a third (closely watching the 550/575 market).

My 2 cents: The cars are art. The market will have ups and downs and tastes will fluctuate but art will always be around.

 

Millennial here with 4 F-Cars. All 90's models with an eye for a 360 CS as and when funds allow.

There's something to be said for the build quality and philosophy of the older cars. I recently saw and 458 Speciale and would rather have a 360 CS over that any day.

 

Also on the younger side with no attraction to the new crop of cars. Literally no attraction, and I'm confident in my position on this (meaning, my obsession with cars grows stronger each year, but it's a nuanced obsession that makes me feel like I've avoided the group-think abyss of the Emperor's Clothing).

Seems like there are two categories for my generation - those in love cars/driving experience/art/mechanical elements/engineering/history and those in love with the material lifestyle. Manufacturers and the latter category have gotten into a sort of cyclical dance that's refining cars into oblivion; the manufacturers are in an arms race to develop 800hp cars that meet global regulations and wrap them in marketing that satisfies the lifestyle thirst. The lifestyle thirst lusts after cars that can be driven with their index finger but make them look like heros to passers-by. It's a perfect match, but it leaves the real enthusiasts behind. Fortunately, we have 50 years of incredible machines to choose from.

I've felt this way since the end of the last chapter (996/997.1 GT3/RS, 599 GTO, Stradale, Scuderia, CLK Black Series, DBS) with VERY few exceptions (GT4, for example). For this reason my love for the 550 grows stronger each day and year. It's also why I just traded my DD '14 Audi S4 for an '02 996 Turbo, I wish I'd done it a long time ago.

Cars like the 550 represent a driveable, accessible, reliable evolution of the ultimate cars. I think we've passed the automotive golden age and cars like the 550 are tremendous custodians of human expression curated from the 1960's, an element largely ironed out of new cars. I, for one, will never outgrow "old, manual, allegedly difficult" cars.

-Joe

 

That's very eloquent discussion on this topic.


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^ Great post Joe

 

Music to my ears Joe


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^ I fully agree with you Joe. Well said. Post of the month!

 

Extremely eloquent and thoughtful and interesting posts.

However, the boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials, Gen Z, etc, who are 'not' (imagine that in bold) interested in classic or modern classic Ferraris, are not here on Fchat posting about their lack of interest, and I suspect there are increasing proportions of the latter groups.

Much as I would like there not to be.

 

With 3,083 550 Maranellos produced, 457 RHD, and who knows the exact numbers that were wrecked over the past decades, there simply aren't that many out there. It took me over 2 years to find the right one to purchase in the US with all the documentations and records, etc to buy. I am sure there are more than 3000 people around the world who would want these cars in the future. A published interview with Rob Lay, Founder of FerrariChat.com, in August of 2012, he said that there are over 100,000 registered members worldwide. We don't know how many are active but I am sure there will be enough appetite for F cars in generations ahead. The mystique of the marque, the winning records of Scuderia in F1, the inspirations of Enzo, and one of the most recognizable brands in the world today, it would hard to imagine a decline of interest in the population. Besides, the stock prices of RACE is up to 88.74/share today... much higher than the IPO just a year ago. Go Vettel...

 

This car sold through Cranky Ape here in Minnesota in March I believe. I think it went for $20s. Had no oil and would not start (maybe they didn't know how to start it?). Also, both driver side wheels were damaged and "slanted out" per the description. I find it odd that it now sits so high in the rear...

 

Another millennial signing in with two F cars. 355 and 550.

The new cars don't do much for me. For one, they're everywhere...but mostly I just like a more analog feel and driving experience. My daily driver would run circles around either of my Ferraris but it's also very boringly fast...if that makes sense. There's no drama and it feels very computer controlled.

Only modern ones I'd consider are the special editions since they're usually full on raw performance. CS scud speciale etc.